FRANCE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - World Cup fever takes hold in France's Algerian community

Record ID: 573627

  • Title: FRANCE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - World Cup fever takes hold in France's Algerian community
  • Date: 27th April 2010
  • Summary: MARSEILLE - FRANCE (FILE) (REUTERS) ALGERIAN SOCCER FANS ON STREETS OF MARSEILLE CELEBRATING NEWS OF ALGERIA'S WIN OVER EGYPT IN NOVEMBER, IN THE GAME THAT SECURED A PLACE FOR ALGERIA AT THIS YEAR'S WORLD CUP FINALS IN SOUTH AFRICA
  • Embargoed: 12th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2F0XB90T6IG6CDNKDXVPEUUIX
  • Story Text: The World Cup is still months away but it's already creating a major stir among France's substantial community of Algerians and French Algerians.
    In this tiny studio in the Paris suburb of Maisons Alfort, DJ Kim, a Frenchman of Algerian descent is preparing what he hopes will be the definitive song that will drive the national team to World Cup victory.
    Together with a group of singers and fellow soccer fans, he composed the song "Algeria the Champion," a catchy RAI-style tune -- his attempt at an unofficial anthem.
    Kim's enthusiasm for the World Cup is typical of the million-strong Algerian community in France. Many are also French, the descendants of Algerian immigrants to France in the 1950s and 60s, and many will be cheering both France and Algeria in their World Cup clashes.
    "This song is an hymn, an expression of love of the Algerian flag and people. It also marks a turning point in Algerian history, which has known unhappiness and which thanks to soccer is returning to the international scene," he told Reuters Television during a recording session in his tiny studio.
    What differentiates the Algerians from the French soccer fans is the enthusiasm and sheer passion that they are already showing. While there is little talk of soccer among the French whose team is mired in a series of sex scandals, the Algerians are already cranking out the flags and the songs.
    In central Paris, Nordine Kourichi is following with with a nostalgic eye the preparations and his compatriots' passion.
    A former Algerian international soccer player who competed in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, he predicts almost unparalleled frenzy in France over what he hopes will be the achievements of the national team.
    "For this 2010 World Cup, it will be a huge craze," he said.
    Algeria's qualification for the World Cup late last year sparked huge celebrations in Paris and Marseille -- often referred to as Algeria's third-largest city because of the size of it's population.
    Elsewhere, ordinary French people of Algerian descent are also joining in the frenzied preparations for the World Cup.
    At a small employment agency in Chevilly-la-Rue on the southern outskirts of Paris, staff are busy organising their trip to South Africa.
    The head of the company, Rachid Bechtola, says he's also trying to bring in fans from the UK and Germany.
    "The aim is to go and support the Algerian team and to encourage it. And don't forget: 1,2,3, viva Algeria," he said.
    As for Algeria's fate in South Africa, that's up to a higher power than ordinary fans. As DJ Kim's song puts it: "Thank God Algeria's qualified. Please God, Algeria world champions."
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